Time for another Fletcher switch?

Now that the local Democratic Party has decided to endorse David Alvarez for mayor, I wonder if Nathan Fletcher will revert back to independent?

Jim Redhead

San Diego

Nutrition program needs help, not cuts

According to the U.S. Census, 46 million Americans were living in poverty in 2012, including 16 million children. I cannot believe that the House of Representatives would make matters worse for them by gutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps).

In 2012, SNAP lifted 4 million people out of poverty. Despite very modest benefits (less than $5 per day), it currently helps millions of children, working parents, seniors and people with disabilities make ends meet each month.

Yet the House voted on Sept. 19 to throw 4 million people off SNAP, deny 210,000 low-income children free meals at school, and cut benefits for seniors who have to choose between heating and eating. Thank you to Reps. Susan Davis, Scott Peters and Juan Vargas for standing up to this callousness and voting no on the bill. As for Reps. Duncan Hunter and Darrell Issa, who supported it, it is not too late to reverse their support.

I call on all San Diego members of Congress to urge House and Senate negotiators to remove these cruel SNAP cuts in any final farm bill and instead work to reduce hunger in America by protecting and strengthening SNAP.

Daria Flores

University Heights

Good move on family leave

Regarding the article “Brown signs bill expanding family leave program,” I was pleased to read about the governor’s support for people who must leave work to care for ailing family members.

Society has shifted its definition of the word “family.” We need to make sure we recognize that a “family” does not necessarily mean a mother, father, and their children. Families take many forms and sometimes it’s not just parents who need time off work to care for their sick children.

I am glad the governor recognizes this, and these people who selflessly dedicate most of their time to caring for a sick family member will continue to receive part of the paycheck they rely on to live. These people deserve less stress in their personal life, not more from worrying about finances.

Kelsi Faizi

Oceanside

Applauds smoking ban

As an anti-smoking advocate and current USD graduate nursing student, I cannot help but applaud the UC system on continuing to ban smoking on their campuses.

As one in five people die of smoking annually according to the CDC, and for every one person who dies from a smoking-related disease, at least 20 more people suffer from at least one serious illness from smoking; it’s a no brainier that smoking is a horrible habit. As other college campuses follow the lead of smoke-free environments, the natural progression of healthier environments will be profound. I commend the UC system on its headship of this matter and encourage the remaining institutions to follow their lead.